Toy sports-player figure
Disclosed herein is a mini-figure that may be used with existing and standard toy block systems and also have the appearance of a sports figure. Improvements over traditional mini-figures include additional separate components in the arms and feet, an optional variation in torso shape, accessories which create visual impression of sports figures in natural use, unique markings identifiable by specific player or production, and a unique method of marketing and distribution.
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This application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/170,328, filed Feb. 8, 2021, which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/703,127, filed on May 4, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,913,006, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/253,818, filed on Oct. 5, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,022,832, which claims priority to U.S. application No. 61/389,839, filed Oct. 5, 2010 and titled “TOY SPORTS-PLAYER FIGURINE,” each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2011, Oyo Sportstoys, Inc.
BACKGROUND Field of the DisclosureThe disclosure relates to toys, and more specifically to toy mini-figures depicting sports figures and connectable to toy construction block playsets.
BackgroundToy construction block mini-figures come in many sizes and shapes. A standardized size and shape has been established by dominance of Lego brand blocks. A standard block, and connector type, allows manufacture of mini-figures for use with the standard block and connector for ready acceptance by consumers. Typically mini-figures are marked as components with painted features in component batches, and assembled into the desired mini-figure by selecting the appropriate component.
Legos and similar building blocks are long existing toys. Initial figurines were scaled to connect to a single tab on the blocks. At that scale, no moving parts were includes, but rather single “blocks” were decorated to appear as figurines.
The original Lego mini-figure can be seen in U.S. Design PAT. No. D253,711 (Christiansen et al., Dec. 18, 1979) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,482 (Christiansen et al., Jun. 3, 1980). These mini-figures, about 1.5 inches tall, include a head attached to a torso component, two arm components which pivot at the connection to the torso in the shoulder region, a hip component connected to the bottom of the torso, and two leg components connected to and pivotal from the hip component. Feet are part of the bottom of the legs, with recesses or channels in the back of the legs and bottom of the feet allowing connection to studs from building blocks. Curved hand components extend out of each arm. To create different character mini-figures, different designs, stickers, or coloring may be affixed to different components. Assembling different sets of components based on the same theme may create the appearance of specific characters. Accessories may be held in the hands or connect to the head, such as weapons, tools, hair, hats, or helmets.
Variations have been introduced since the original mini-figure. Larger figures have been created. Themed figures have been created. Specialized components have been created for specific creatures, such as an empty-skeleton torso and related arms and legs for a skeleton. However the shape and points of motion of the mini-figure has largely remained unchanged. This is largely due to the durability and scale needed.
BRIEF SUMMARYDisclosed herein is a mini-figure that may be used with existing and standard toy block systems and also have the appearance of a sports figure. Improvements over traditional mini-figures include additional separate components in the arms and feet, an optional variation in torso shape, accessories which create visual impression of sports figures in natural use, unique markings identifiable by specific player or production, and a unique method of marketing and distribution.
An embodiment includes creation of the arm through two components—a shoulder component and a forearm component. The shoulder component may connect to the torso as traditional arms of mini-figures connect. The forearm may connect to the shoulder such that the forearm may pivot at the connection. This allows two points of motion for an arm, allowing hands connected to both arms to come into alignment such as for holding a baseball bat in a traditional baseball grip.
An embodiment includes a foot component which is connectable to and a leg and may pivot from that connection. Separation into a separate foot component allows positioning into active poses by bending at both the ankle and waste, such as creation of a running pose or batting stance, while still allowing the feet to rest on a flat surface or connect to traditional tabs on toy blocks.
Optional embodiments include variation of the traditional torso component. The torso may be made from multiple separable components, such as for creation of cheerleaders with variable outfits. Alternatively the torso may have a natural bend depicting typical sports stance, such as may be seen in hockey players.
Sports accessories may be included with sports mini-figures, or included on components of the mini-figures. For example, balls, gloves, and sticks may be included. Stick-like accessories may include narrow regions for grip by hands. Balls and gloves, which traditionally are not grippable by mini-figures, may have one side specifically shaped to fit with traditional mini-figure hand shapes. This allows sports figures to hold their appropriate accessories. In addition to separate pieces, separation of arms and feet allows further customization. For example, shoulder pads may be included on shoulder component and vary by sport, and sport-specific shoe designs may be included on foot components. This allows further customization by component than is possible with single arm or combined foot and leg components.
An embodiment includes unique markings on one or more components in each mini-figure. Mini-figures are traditionally mass produced, but individualization by sets or other indicia allows increased commercial value and collectability of specific mini-figures.
Along with specific marking, vending machine or interactive displays may be used to distribute mini-figures and increase commercial appeal.
In the drawings, closely related figures and items have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. Processes, states, statuses, and databases are named for their respective functions.
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A preferred embodiment is a mini-figure with improvements over traditional mini-figures allowing more accurate appearance and positioning creating a sports mini-figure. Such improvement is enabled through arm, leg, torso, and accessory features.
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Sports accessories may be included with sports mini-figures, or included on components of the mini-figures. Baseball bats, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, and other sports equipment may be included. Due to the flexible arm posing enabled by multi-segment arms, bats and sticks may have regions for gripping by the mini-figure hands that correspond to where real-life athletes would grip the bat or stick. Sports balls, gloves, and cheerleading equipment may also be made into accessories. One or two-handed accessories, which traditionally are not grippable by mini-figures, may have one side specifically shaped to fit with traditional mini-figure hand shapes. This allows sports figures to hold their appropriate accessories. Referring to
Referring also to
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In addition to customization by end-purchasers, referring also to
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A toy figurine comprising:
- a torso component;
- an arm component connected to the torso component, the arm component being movable relative to the torso component, wherein the arm component comprises: an upper arm component comprising a cylindrical portion received in an opening of the torso component, the upper arm component movable relative to the torso component about a first rotational axis defined by a centerline of the opening of the torso component, the upper arm component comprising an opening positioned such that a centerline of the opening of the upper arm component intersects the centerline of the opening of the torso component; and a forearm component having a cylindrical portion received in the opening of the upper arm component, the forearm component movable about a second rotational axis defined by the centerline of the opening of the upper arm component, the forearm component comprising an opening positioned such that a centerline of the opening of the forearm component intersects the centerline of the opening of the upper arm component; and
- wherein movement of the forearm component about the second rotational axis defined by the centerline of the opening of the upper arm component changes the distance between the torso component and the opening of the forearm component.
2. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the toy figurine includes a first upper leg component and a second upper leg component, each upper leg component configured to pivot relative to the torso component.
3. The toy figurine of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical portion of the forearm component comprises a cylindrical post and a cylindrical band on said post, the cylindrical post having a first diameter and the cylindrical band having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second diameter being larger than a diameter of the opening of the upper arm component.
4. The toy figurine of claim 1, further comprising a hand connected to the arm component and spaced apart from the torso component, the hand including a first recess.
5. The toy figurine of claim 4, wherein the hand comprises a cylindrical portion received in the opening of the forearm component, the hand being extendable along the centerline of the opening of the forearm.
6. The toy figurine of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical portion of the hand has a cylindrical post and a cylindrical band on said post, the cylindrical post having a first diameter and the cylindrical band having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second diameter being larger than a diameter of the opening of the forearm component.
7. The toy figurine of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical portion of the forearm component has a cylindrical post and a cylindrical band on said post, the cylindrical post having a first diameter and the cylindrical band having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second diameter being larger than a diameter of the opening of the upper arm component.
8. The toy figurine of claim 4, further comprising a removeable sporting accessory that comprises a recess that receives a portion of the hand.
9. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein a portion of the removable sporting accessory comprises a spherical geometry.
10. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein a portion of the removable sporting accessory comprises a geometry of a baseball glove.
11. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein a portion of the removable sporting accessory comprises a geometry of a baseball bat.
12. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein a portion of the removable sporting accessory comprises a geometry of a football.
13. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein a portion of the removable sporting accessory comprises an elliptical geometry.
14. The toy figurine of claim 1, further comprising a head component configured to connect to the torso component.
15. The toy figurine of claim 14, further comprising a hat component configured to connect to the head component.
16. The toy figurine of claim 14, wherein the head component is rotatable relative to the torso component.
17. The toy figurine of claim 14, wherein the head component includes a face.
18. The toy figurine of claim 17, wherein the face includes facial hair.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 10, 2023
Date of Patent: Nov 5, 2024
Patent Publication Number: 20230356100
Assignee: OYO Toys, Inc. (Hudson, MA)
Inventor: Thomas Keath Skripps (Acton, MA)
Primary Examiner: Joseph B Baldori
Application Number: 18/182,183
International Classification: A63H 3/36 (20060101); A63H 3/16 (20060101); A63H 3/46 (20060101); A63H 3/48 (20060101);